Thursday, February 24, 2011

I only hope the Red Wings are half as pissed off as I was after Detroit's previous match. If so, they might actually come out tonight and put forward an effort worthy of an NHL-caliber team, which was not the case against the Sharks.

The Dallas Stars, however, are a different beast altogether. Losers of 11 of their last 13 games, the big D has looked like the big F and have slipped into a log-jam currently just out of playoff contention. Their captain is slumping while one of their biggest name-drops (one Brad Richards) is still out with concussion symptoms. The Stars have only managed a meager 5 goals in the 4 games Richards has been absent.

The Red Wings are relatively healthy heading into this game. True, we did lose Patrick Eaves in the San Jose game for about a week, but our top 6 forwards are looking good, especially Todd Bertuzzi and Danny Cleary. Cleary has 6 points in his last 4 games, and Bertuzzi is just coming off a similar run.

I think for this match, though, I'm going to stamp the Gold Star onto Johan Franzen. The Mule hasn't been terrifying lately: he has 9 points this month, but 5 of those came on 02/02 against Ottawa with his 5-goal flurry. Mule is due, and I think Mule is gonna get fed tonight.

That's all for me for now! No lucky shirt tonight, Detroit soiled it in that poor effort against the Sharks, so obviously I need to let it's mojo recharge.